EPA launches its on-line Environmental Research Who's Who

Date released: Dec 09 2013

EPA launches its on-line Environmental Research WHO’S WHO to support Irish researchers competing for EU Funding

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today formally launched its Who’s Who of environmental research expertise in Ireland to assist collaboration by Irish environmental researchers in Europe-wide research projects.  The launch of the Who’s Who coincides with the announcement of the European Commission’s new €79 billion research programme, Horizon 2020.

During the lifetime of the European research programme, over 12,000 researchers from across Europe have accessed the EPA database looking for Irish researchers with whom to collaborate.  The EPA plans to recruit more researchers and add their profiles to the Who’s Who in coming months.  This will allow them to access the European networks and linkages necessary to compete on a European stage. 

Dara Lynott, Deputy Director General, EPA stated:


“Through strategic investments by the EPA and others in environmental research, Irish researchers and innovators have developed knowledge and technologies that will allow them to compete for research funding at the highest level.  The job of the EPA will be to ensure that Irish environmental researchers attain that potential and deliver real environmental improvements.”

The EPA is a key participant in the Governance of EU research networks. Ms Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA, is a member the EU Horizon 2020 Research Programme Advisory Group for Societal Challenge 5: Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials.  The EPA is also the ‘National Delegate’ and ‘Contact Point’ for Challenge 5 in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.  In fulfillment of these roles, and to assist Irish environmental researchers, the EPA will also:

  • expand its online WHO’S WHO of Environmental Researchers; 
  • host information days for researchers, 
  • host roadshows to all major universities; 
  • disseminate information through multiple channels; 
  • provide tailored advice and a proposals’ review service to first-time participants and coordinators.

In the previous EC research programme, called FP7, Irish environmental researchers participated in over 100 projects across the entire programme to the value of approximately €46m. The aims of the Horizon 2020 “Climate Action” programme are threefold: to support businesses in developing and bringing to market eco-innovative solutions: to encourage their take-up by public authorities in their procurement practices; to help to move towards a new era of climate information systems and services which can provide accessible, high quality and ultimately useful data for the public sector, business and society.

Further Information:

The Catalogue of Environmental Research Expertise in Ireland can be viewed at http://erc.epa.ie/h2020catalogue/ 

Notes to Editors:

EPA participation in the Governance of EU research networks:

  1. Dr Alice Wemaere is the Horizon 2020 “Challenge 5” National Contact Point & National Expert.  She is also a delegate Executive Board Member of the Water Joint Programming Initiative (JPI), the Irish contact for the Member States’ Mirror Group for the Water supply and sanitation Technology Platform (WssTP), and the National Focal Point for the EIO-net Soils Information.
  2. Dr Brian Donlon is the Horizon 2020 “Challenge 5” National Delegate and an Executive Board Member for the Water JPI, Task Force for Innovation Partnership on Water.
  3. Mr Dara Lynott, EPA Deputy Director General, is a member of the Governing Board of the Water JPI.
  4. Mr David Dodd is a Member for the Climate Change JPI, ERA-net Climate (CIRCLE-2).
  5. Dr Frank McGovern is an Expert on the EU Climate Science Group, a Governing Board Member for the Climate Change JPI, ESFRI and ICOS-ISCI member.
  6. Dr Jonathan Derham is a member of the SHERPA Group Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials.

ON-LINE WHO’S WHO: is a directory of Irish Companies and Research Organisations active in the field of Environmental Research developed to support Irish researchers compete for EU Funding.

Horizon 2020 is the EU’s new programme for research and innovation and Running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of over €79 billion in current prices. Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020 the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis to invest in future jobs and growth, addressing people’s concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment and strengthening the EU’s global position in research, innovation and technology.

The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) was the EU’s main instrument for funding research and development which runs from 2007 to 2013. Irish environmental researchers from both the public and private sectors actively participate in and compete successfully for European funding. To date our envi¬ronmental researchers have been successful in over 100 projects to the value of approximately €46m across the entire FP7 programme. This short brochure (link is below) showcases some highlights associated with participation to date by Ireland’s environmental researchers across FP7.

Read more: Short brochure about Ireland’s Environmental Researchers & Framework Programme FP7